Hindu Vivek Kendra
A RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE PROMOTION OF HINDUTVA
   
 
Sting Operators stung by truth
 
India's No.1 sting operators Tehelka decided to have a go at Sangh. On scanning the galaxy of Sangh leaders they zeroed on Shri Madhavrao G. Vaidya, who was a spokesperson of Sangh. He has retired 16 months back from this responsibility and has gone back to Nagpur. He has some land at a nearby village Taroda and sometimes he also stays there to attend his personal work. Shri Vijay Simha, a journalist from Tehelka met him and asked for an interview. Shri Vaidya refused to give any interview regarding Sangh and asked him to contact the present spokesperson Shri Ram Madhav for that purpose. After much persuasion, he agreed, but insisted that Tehelka must send him a written questionnaire and he will send his written replies. 

The technique of a personal interview is varied. But the main weapon to confuse an interviewee is to put a question and if he/she is giving a correct answer, put him another question before he finishes his reply. This technique is used by even an old reporter of BBC was interviewing Netanyahu, once the PM of Israel. The same was used against Shri Narendra Modi by a TV channel. But he pointedly completed the answer to his first question and then went on to the next. Shri Vaidya is dedicated Swayamsevak since 40s.  He was a Sanskrit professor in a Nagpur College. Later he was the editor of Tarun Bharat Nagpur for years, which he ran successfully.  Thus he has a long experience of journalism and has seen the thin and thick in the prime years of Sangh, was an ideologue and formed an important member of the core body deciding the policy matters of Sangh.

His answers are lucid, clear and pointed. He analyses the questions and separate the husk from grain and points out the inconsistencies in the questions.  If they are loaded and asked with a prejudice, he understands them and says so. Most importantly, he does not try to answer such questions with the false basis on which the question is asked, but first demolishes the basis which the interviewer has taken for granted and then gives his answer straight and to the point. Shri Simha has used all the techniques in asking the questions. But Vaidya was not trapped. 

Tehelka could not twist the answers given by Shri Vaidya as they were in writing. But what it has done is to misuse its prerogative of editors to: 

1.. Change the order of questions instead of printing them in the same order as in their questionnaire
2.. Doctor the text by just dropping inconvenient portions and lastly, 
3.. Not printing some important questions and answers. They asked 25 questions and printed only 14. 

We obtained the text of questions and answers from Shri M. G. Vaidya and are reproducing it in the annexure. It is printed in the same order in which the questions were asked and answered by Shri Vaidya with the following features: 

At the end of the question the number at which it is printed is given in bracket. The question which was answered but was not printed or the portion, which was not printed, is given in italics. It will be noticed that the dropped portions are inconvenient for Tehelka to print and do not go with the aim of the article which was written by Simha. Many of them were prejudiced and asked with the intention of creating confusion.  But the answers are very clear and in fact satisfactory and beyond criticism.

*****

 
Original Text of questions and answers of the written interview given by Shri M. G. Vaidya to Tehelka.

Q.1: How has the R.S.S. changed from earlier times?
A.: The R.S.S. was founded in 1925. Many a change has been effected like in any living organism. In the beginning only school going young boys attended the Shakha. So the programmes were conducted in the evening only. Later on employed people came to attend; for their convenience, the morning Shakhas were started. Afterwards, the RSS reached the rural areas. For labourers and farmers, the night Shakhas were started.

There was change in the ceremonial uniform also. The pant as well as the shirt was of the same colour viz khaki. During the Second World War, the then British Govt imposed restrictions on the drill-exercises conducted by private organizations. One restriction was that the drill should not be conducted in uniform and the uniform was defined as the identical colour of the pant and the shirt. The RSS changed the colour of the shirt from khaki to white. Formerly long boots were an essential part of the uniform, now ordinary boots do.

Many changes took place in the nature of the physical programmes also. Nagpur being its birthplace, the RSS adopted and adapted the physical training routinely given in the 'akharas' (traditional gymnasiums) e.g. wielding lathi (stick) sword and spear. Later on they were dropped and 'soorya-namaskar', Niyuddha (similar to Judo-karate), and yogasanas were introduced. Even some of these programmes were waived to suit the swayamsevaks who were above 45 years. Sizeable number of Swayamsevaks in the age group of 45-70 are daily attending the shakhas; for them 'yogasanas' and 'dhyan' are the programmes.

The original prayer of the RSS was partly in Marathi and partly in Hindi, a typical reminder of the bilingual character of the province named as Central Provinces and Berar, which contained eight Marathi-speaking districts and fourteen Hindi -speaking districts and of which Nagpur was the capital. When the RSS spread to different parts of the country, it adopted its present Sanskrit prayer from the year 1940. Even the orders in the Shakhas, which were formerly a mix of Marathi, Hindi and Sanskrit, were all changed to Sanskrit. So it is a gradual evolution. The spirit is the same the form has changed. You can call it a gradual enfoldment.
 
Q.2: What do you think of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination? Was it good or bad? Why? (8)
A.: It was bad. It hurt our culture, our value system. The RSS condemned the crime. The then RSS Chief Shri M.S. Golwalkar, while condoling Mahatma's death had written to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, on 31st January 1948 "This vile act is a blot on our society". He called it an "abominable act". To Sardar Patel, in his Hindi letter he said "such a heinous and abominable incident has probably never been witnessed before...... It is difficult to find words to condemn the person who has committed the crime." All swayamsevaks share this sentiment.
 
Q.3: What are the RSS views on Muslims? (9)
A.: Being staunch Hindus, we do not have any prejudice against any religion. But the behaviour of the majority of Muslims had become strange after 1947. The British rulers tried hard to dissuade the Muslims from joining the mainstream movement for independence. They nurtured and nourished their separatist tendencies; and Muslims-fell victim to the British strategy. This resulted in the vivisection of our beloved Motherland. The RSS experiences pain about this vivisection. It is remarkable that 85% of the Muslims, who were not to go to their dreamland of Pakistan and were destined to remain in Bharat voted for Pakistan. In 1946 elections, the Congress was for "Akhand Bharat" and the Muslim League for divided Bharat. And in all the constituencies reserved for Muslims, where the entire electorate used to be Muslim, 85% voters voted for partition. We could have forgotten this 'sin', but their attitude still persists; and many of our political parties, for their narrow political ends, even now pamper to their separatist mentality. Instead of strengthening the 15% that voted against partition, the Congress, which came to power in 1947, followed policies that nourished fissiparous tendencies of pro-partition Muslims Why, is there no uniform Civil Law? Why is there special article 370 for J & K state? Why is Haj-subsidy given? Why there different criteria to judge the below-poverty-line status? They say that they want to preserve the special identity of the Muslims. Has the separate identity of the Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists obliterated by following the uniform civil code? In Goa, there is a common law of marriage and divorce for all citizens, including Muslims. Has the religious identity of the Muslims vanished? Why is there article 370, only for the J & K state? Is it not a fact that it is so, because it is a Muslim majority state? Why were 5% Kashmiri Hindus hounded out of the Kashmir valley? Why in Western Pakistan Hindu population, which was 18% in 1947, is now just 1%? And in Bangla Desh, why is it reduced from 38% to 9%? The Muslims owe an explanation for it. We know that there are patriotic Muslims also; and they share the RSS view of one nation, one people. Quite a few of them might be attending the RSS Shakhas also. Even admitting that the Muslims are a religious minority, their special rights should be restricted to religious sphere only. They should not be extended to the political, administrative, economic or social spheres. Irrespective of the religious denominations, all have equal rights. The value of each citizen's vote is the same, then why this craze for separate treatment?
 
Q.4: Why are there no Muslims in the RSS hierarchy? (10)
A.: We do not maintain a religionwise, caste-wise or language-wise register, because we do not make a distinction on these counts. Our set up is based on unmitigated commitment to and sacrifice for our ideology and ideals. Those who fulfill this condition, they go up. It will be profitable and appropriate to address this question to the Muslims.
 
Q.5: Will you ever have women in the main RSS set up? (11)
A.: There is a separate organization for women known as the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the short form of which is also RSS. They form part of our ideological 'Pariwar.' We and they both are satisfied with this dispensation. Did you receive any complaints from the female society, on this score?
 
Q.6: Guruji Golwalkar had said the RSS has nothing to do with politics. How do you explain the RSS moving to politics with the BJP now? (It has its men as secretaries in the BJP)? (2)
A.: You ought to have given the context in which Shri Guruji said so. It was in Shri Guruji's Sarsanghchalakship that the Bharatiya Jan Sangh was started; and a few top RSS pracharaks like Shri Deendayal Upadhyaya, Nanaji Deshmukh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Kushabhau Thakre were released from their responsibility in RSS to associate and help Dr. S.P.Mukherji, the founder of the Jan Sangh. What Shri Guruji insisted on was that the Jan Sangh should work as an independent and autonomous body. The RSS men, who went to different fields of social activities, were expected to establish the RSS ideology of cultural nationalism (i.e. Hindu Rashtra) in their spheres of activity and work there with the RSS character of regarding the country and the society above any individual. I need not here, elaborate the connotation of 'Hindu' as accepted by the RSS. It is not religious, but nationalistic, because it is cultural and moral. One who regards this land as his motherland and therefore is not shy to say 'Vande Mataram', takes pride in the country's glorious past and subscribes to its ethos or culture, I mean Value-system is a Hindu. It has little to do with his way of worship or faith. The aim of the RSS is to organize the entire society. It has not envisaged itself as an Organization 'in' the society. It is an organization 'of' the society. Therefore, it has allowed its workers to work in various spheres of our social life. Politics is one such sphere, not the only one. RSS is aloof from election-politics, competitive politics to gain and retain political power. It is aware of the influence of politics on social behaviour and has concern for what happens there. But it does not aspire for power for itself. Even in Jansangh times, the RSS men like Upadhyaya, Vajpayee and Deshmukh occupied responsible positions in the party. The RSS constitution prevents the RSS office holders from holding positions in the political party. RSS Swaysamsevaks are free to join any political party that does not believe in violence and has no extra-territorial loyalties.
 
Q.7: Why is the RSS secretive body even in 2004?
A.: It is not a secretive body. It was not so before and is not so even now. It functions in the open, in the open ground. How can it be secretive Dr. Hedgewar had put a model of our family life for the RSS. We have many a meeting without any agenda; we unofficially meet on several occasions; many of the things are meant for us as in a family. So, for many years, we ignored the publicity part, so much so that there was not even a nominal 'publicity' department till 1994. This gave an impression that the RSS is a secretive association. This also gave an opportunity to RSS baiters to rant mischievously and malignantly to malign it and create a negative image of it. 
 
Q.8: Golwalkar had also said that violence has no place in the RSS. How do you explain the Gujarat riots in this context? (12)
A.: The Gujarat riots were not sponsored by the RSS. No organization had sponsored them. It was an emotional outburst of a reaction of all the Hindus to the Godhra massacre. Nobody expected that the Gujarat Hindu would be as ferocious as the Jihadi Muslim mobs. No Hindu leadership can provoke the Hindu masses like that, which is a prerogative of the Muslim masses and their leaders. It is a typical Hindu mentality of self-condemnation and condonation of others, that puts under carpet the Godhra massacre and concentrate on its violent reactions. You also are a typical Hindu and therefore are disturbed by the unprecedented happenings in Gujarat. Were you equally moved by the plight of Kashmiri Hindus? Have you ever thought it fit to visit Kashmir valley and try to understand the atmosphere there? In the heart of your heart, you might be thinking that it is normal for Muslims to kill, to rape, to intimidate and drive out people disliked by them.
 
Q.9: What about the RSS accounts? Why is there such a fuss about it? 
A.: The RSS accounts are in perfect order from the day of its inception. We have not heard about any fuss about it. If at all any fuss can be imagined, it must come from the Swayamsevaks of the RSS. How are others concerned about that? RSS does not approach any body for grant or charity.
 
Q.10: Why does the RSS try to unite Hindus on an anti-minority platform?
A.: This is a blatant misconception. Had there been not even a single person of so called minority, RSS would have thought it imperative to unite the Hindus, for the simple reason that the destiny of this country is inextricably linked with the people known as Hindus. Where Hindus become a minority, there is every danger of that part, getting alienated. Why was Pakistan created? The root cause is that Hindus there had become a minority. Why are Hindus hounded out of Kashmir valley, because Hindus are a minority. Why is there problem in Nagaland? Because Hindus are a minority. So, to keep the country united and integrated Hindu - unity is essential. Hindu people are divided into various castes and languages; Because of appreciation of plurality in all forms of social and religious activities, differences naturally arise. These lead to division and mutual distrust. Therefore, it is of vital importance to lay stress on the underlying unity. RSS is engaged in doing that. It does not aim at eliminating plurality it aims at making people realize the inherent unity underlying that plurality. RSS has been working for the last 78 years. No organization worth its name can sustain, not to speak of flourishing, on the basis of any negative platform. We are a tolerant people. But should that mean that we should tolerate the intolerance of others? RSS says no; and Hindus of your ilk call it anti-something. It may sound ironical but it is true that Muslims understand RSS better than Hindus.
 
Q.11: Does the RSS swear allegiance to the constitution of India? (12)
A.: The mildest answer to this question is that it is an absurd question, if not born out of prejudice or malice or both. The constitution is the primary law of the land and every citizen is bound to honour it. But even this primary law is subject to change, because it has a certain contemporary quality about it. It is not the last word of any prophet. Had it been so, it would not have incorporated a methodology for change. It is now about ninety times that we have changed it Mrs. India Gandhi even dared to change the preamble which is the soul of any constitution. This question ought to have been put to Mrs. Gandhi (I mean the late one) whether she owed allegiance to the Constitution.
 
Q.12: Why does the R.S.S. not propagate secularisms?
A.: Why should it do so? Voltaire the celebrated French thinker had aptly stated, "If you talk to me, please, define your terms." I will better ask a secularist, "Please define secularism?" Are you accepting the meaning of the term as given in any Standard English dictionary? I have before me a "Random House Dictionary." Here the meaning of the word 'secular' is given "of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual or sacred, temporal" According to the RSS the state is secular, it must be secular because it does not deal with religious or spiritual things. It is a mundane affair.  According to Hindu Culture, it is as natural as a man to have two legs. The advice for a secular state should be directed to those, who advocate a theocratic state. Did RSS ever advocate the concept of a theocratic state? In the whole world, hardly you will find a Muslim majority state a secular state. They should be taught the virtues of a secular state. In Europe, because the spiritual and temporal authorities were concentrated in one individual, or you may say in one institution, there was a cry and indeed need for a secular state. No such thing happened in a majority Hindu state. Nepal proclaims herself as a Hindu Nation, and yet there are mosques and churches there. Can you establish a temple of Lord Tirupati in Saudi Arabia, or Iran or Afghanistan or Pakistan? May I tell you that before 1976, the word 'secular' was not present in our constitution? Was our constitution from 1950 to 1976 non-secular or theocratic? We have adopted another meaning of the word 'secular', and it is a right meaning i.e. the state is not an irreligious institution; but it respects all religions equally; the state is not favourable to any one religion. The RSS stands by this interpretation. I will like to ask whether a state that frames its laws on the consideration of separate religions, can be called secular? We have such laws: a different law of marriage for different religions; and different status for stares that have a majority of Muslims. A central law of restricting the number of ministers, is not applicable to J & K State. Even Assembly elections there are held every six years. Why? Can this state be called a true secular state? Please pose this question to your Leftist friends who supported the demand for Pakistan on religious basis and who still support different laws for different religious communities. As far as RSS is concerned it is for a genuine secular state. Besides, secularism is a quality of a State and statecraft. Individual life can be religious I trust, you are not advocating the banishment of religion as had happened in the USSR.
 
Q.13: The RSS is probably the only organization that takes minors in its wings.
A.: No Even the primary and secondary schools, even private schools can and do take minors in their wings. For what? To give them 'Samskaras' of education. The RSS too invites the young boys to give 'Samskaras' of discipline, obedience and good character, through the method of physical exercises. No minor is administered the pledge of the RSS.
 
Q.14: What do you intend to do about the negative image of the RSS 
A.: Nothing special. We try to project the correct picture of the organization. It is the media, both printed and electronic, that creates our image. We try to inform the media. I hope that you do not expect us to bribe the media or terrorize them. On your part, you can help project a correct image of the RSS. The RSS will be satisfied with that.
 
Q.15: How will you improve the RSS relations with the church and the mosque?
A.: Our main target is to transform the Hindu Society into a harmonious entity. AS for the Church or the Mosque we are not averse to meeting their leaders. Discarding any idea of prestige, the RSS Sarsanghchalak went to the Catholic Church to meet with the Bishops there. They insisted that the meeting be held in their Church and we went there. Then leaders of the Protestant Churches came to Nagpur and the RSS Central office accorded them, a hearty welcome. These meetings were followed by the meetings with the Christian Laity. We had a meaningful discussion with them. So also there were some meetings with Muslim clerics. Those who believe that there can be different ways of worship and faith, generally understand our point of view. But those who stick to evangelical dogmatism that there cannot be salvation outside the Church natural fail to understand the RSS. So is the case of those who regard all idol-worshipers as infidel (Kafir) fit to be annihilated or condemned to eternal hell cannot understand us. They regard us as obstacles in their path of conversion. And we, indeed, are an obstacle in their path. We want them to accept the concept of plurality of faiths. We have no quarrel with those who accept this concept. Acceptance and appreciation of plurality is the basic characteristic of Hindutva. Will you make some efforts to convince the 'church' and the mosque to say that there can be salvation outside the church also and that 'kafirs' too have a right to live honourably?
 
Q.16: What do you think of the BJP? Has it been true to the RSS idealism and ideology? (3)
A.: As stated earlier, it is an independent and autonomous organization, with its own constitution and programmes and policies. Because some of our Swayamsevaks are there, we expect them to propagate the concept of cultural nationalism and genuine secularism. BJP does not consist of RSS members only. There are many others who do not have the RSS background. The BJP is free to chalk out its policies and programmes and freedom means freedom to commit mistakes also.
 
Q.17: Isn't it time for a successor to take over from Atal Bihari Vajpayee? (4)
A.: It is for the BJP to decide about it. The RSS does not come into the picture.
 
Q.18: Who will take his place? How does the RSS view freshening up of the BJP? (5)
A.: The first part of this question is irrelevant for the RSS. The answer to question No. 17 is applicable here also. We appreciate every attempt at freshening, not only of the BJP, but also of all parties. In the history of Buddhism it is recorded that after every hundred years, there used to be a 'Sangeeti' i.e. a congregation that reviewed the tenets and practices in that religion. I don't know when did that exercise stop. Freshening is good for all social institutions including RSS. You just have a cursory look at the top RSS office holders. Majority of them are in early fifty's and the old have volunteered to make way for them,
 
Q.19: The BJP has held its recent meeting in a seven-star hotel in Mumbai? Is this the kind of culture the RSS wants? (6)
A.: As stated earlier. It is for the BJP to address such issues. RSS, however is always for simplicity. I personally am ignorant as to what five-star or seven-star luxuries mean.
 
Q.20: The RSS felt that friction between, BJP leaders was one reason for it doing poorly in the recent elections. How do you plan to sort it out?
A.: This question like asking since when have you stopped beating your wife. Who told you about the RSS feelings? At least I am unaware of it. The latter part is irrelevant.
 
Q.21: What bout the temple at Ayodhya? What does the RSS plan to do on that issue?
A.: The temple is there. It is a make shift structure. A grand structure has to be erected. I can't say when it will be done. But it will be done. No power in our country can remove the idol of Ram-Lala from its present site, unless somebody invites some new Babar of 21st Century and shares his intention to demolish it, or some Aurangzeb occupies the throne at Delhi. I don't envisage such eventuality. But at the same time the RSS has no plan of its own. It was the VHP that started the agitation and the RSS supported it with full strength. It is for the VHP to plan when the plan comes the RSS will give due consideration to it and then decide.
 
Q.22: Ashok Singhal has been talking of a new party. Do you think there should be a Hindu League, like the Muslim League, to project the Hindu point of view? (14)
A.: As far as my knowledge goes Shri Singhal did not talk of a new party; he spoke about an 'all Hindu forum'. You should approach him to explain, what he means by it. The latter part of the question betrays a pathological mindset to juxtapose everything that is Hindu with the Muslim. Please extricate yourself from this morbid mindset. Try to view 'Hindu' in a positive manner. Were there no Hindus before the Muslim prophet? According to RSS 'Hindu' stands for nationalism. They are not just a community. In this country they are the nation, because, the people are the nation. To compare any Hindu organization with Muslim League is tantamount to insulting the Hindu.
 
Q.23: The Gujarat experiment seems to be rebounding on the RSS pracharak Narendra Modi? Your comment.
A.: Again a loaded question; as if I am in a witness box and you are cross-examining me on behalf of somebody whose brief you have taken. The purpose of a good journalist should be to elicit information and not to attempt to elicit answers favourable to his views. For your information, Narendra Modi is not a pracharak. He became the Chief Minister by undergoing the democratic process sanctioned by the system of parliamentary democracy that our people adopted; and he, we think, knows his responsibility.
 
Q.24: What do you think of the call to purge the administration of RSS men. (1)
A.: We do not care about it. It is Government's prerogative to take action against its employees. Those who will be affected by it, have a recourse to judiciary. In the past, some Swayamsevak did choose that path and they got redress. This Govt. may repeat that endeavour. Those who are inclined to embrace the Muslim League, will, naturally, be uncomfortable with the RSS. RSS does not function, with Govt. support and approval.
 
Q.25: Is forced celibacy among RSS pracharaks a good thing?
A.: Again a loaded question. How can RSS force anybody? What sanctions does it have? There are umpteen examples of pracharaks, leaving that order and adopting a family life. Have you ever heard of any pracharak having been excommunicated on this score? 'Pracharkatva' is absolutely voluntary. It cannot be otherwise. There is no separate pledge for a pracharak. 
 
*****
 
For a reader with an unprejudiced mind, the answers are to the point and very clear. But the intention of the interview taken by Tehelka with a malicious intention of twisting the answers and publishing it to project an image of Sangh in their own way. However, some of the answers must have stung to the heart of these sting operators like following questions and answers: 
 
"Q.14: What do you intend to do about the negative image of the RSS?
A.: Nothing special. We try to project the correct picture of the organization. It is the media, both printed and electronic, that creates our image. We try to inform the media. I hope that you do not expect us to bribe the media or terrorize them. On your part, you can help project a correct image of the RSS. The RSS will be satisfied with that."  
 
Or 
 
Q.20: The RSS felt that friction between BJP leaders was one reason for it doing poorly in the recent elections. How do you plan to sort it out?
A.: This is a loaded question like asking since when have you stopped beating your wife.  Who told you about the RSS feelings? At least I am unaware of it.  The latter part is irrelevant. 
 
Or 
 
Q.23: "The Gujarat experiment seems to be rebounding on the RSS pracharak Narendra Modi? Your comment.
A.: Again a loaded question; as if I am in a witness box and you are cross-examining me on behalf of somebody whose brief you have taken. The purpose of a good journalist should be to elicit information and not to attempt to elicit answers favourable to his views. For your information, Narendra Modi is not a pracharak. He became the Chief Minister by undergoing the democratic process sanctioned by the system of parliamentary democracy that our people adopted; and he, we think, knows his responsibility."
 
Most of the dropped answers explain the stand of Sangh on points, which have been used right from the time of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination to spread misunderstandings and calumny against Sangh.  Some answers are so clear that if published they would put an end to the speculative guesses deliberately used about Sangh's working and thinking. 
 
One of his answers was a biting answer to the Tehelka's question No.10, "Why does the RSS try to unite Hindus on an anti-minority platform?" which Vaidya concluded with a remark, "It may sound ironical, but it is true that Muslims understand RSS better than Hindus."
 
So much for the reproduction of the written text. 
 
 
 

BIG BOTHER
 
An article by
 
Vijay Simha in 'Tehelka' dated 18th September 2004:
 
An analysis of the article: 
 
Obviously, bother is a deiberate aberration of word brother. While the order in which questions were put indicates that the questionnaire was aimed at obtaining information of Sangh the article was written to emphasize on the divide between the RSS and BJP and how Shri Sudarshanji and Atalji do not agree with each other. Contrary to the first visit of Sudarshanji to Atalji stated to be at midnight to dictate the formation of cabinet, the first visit of Sudarshanji to Atalji was in the early days for formation of the cabinet to clear the misunderstandings deliberately spread by media that Sudarshanji was a hard core RSS man having diametrically opposite views of Atalji. Sudarshanji had gone on his own to meet him.  It was shown on Doordarshan and it was all in a jovial and pleasant atmosphere that the meeting was held. No tension or disagreement was on anybody's place.  It is difficult for people out of Sangh to understand the atmosphere between the Sangh Swayamsevaks when they meet. We do not know about or think any midnight visit by Sudarshan ji to Atalji is possible. 
 
Adding all his interpretation by wishful thinking about their relations by magnifying some observations, he states "Vibes have gone so cold that the RSS couldn't be bothered with the BJP's current avatar.  At least on paper." Then he quotes Vaidya ji reply, 
 
"It is an independent and autonomous organization with their own constitution and programme and policies.  Because some of our swayamsevaks are there, we expect them to propagate the concept of cultural nationalism and genuine secularism.  BJP does not consist of RSS members only.  There are many others who do not have the RSS background.  The BJP is free to chalk out its policies and programmes.  And freedom means freedom to commit mistakes also." 
 
This is the umpteenth time that the independent status of BJP is made clear by Sangh dignitaries. Of course, Many Sangh leaders are proud of their relations with Sangh. But he wants to make this point to show that Sangh has gone totally indifferent to BJP. Two things are forgotten while interpreting the answer of Shri Vaidya ji. First and foremost Sangh is an integral part of the society. As Vaidya has said elsewhere, it is not an organization in the society, but an organization of the society. Hence, people from parties other than BJP can be swayamsevaks of Sangh and in many cases it is true. Famous leader of Congress in Maharashtra, Vasantdada Patil was a devout swayamsevak of Sangh and never talked against it even during his career in Congress. Secondly, Sangh is an organization which is concerned deeply about the welfare of the country and hence, in nearly every sphere of the 
life of nation its swayamsevaks are working in its interests. So is the case of BJP. Perhaps more so, because it was formed because of the. Party had to be formed due to their relations or rather being swayamsevaks of which they are still proud of.
 
There are a number of Seva projects launched by swayamsevaks on their own. Sangh do not interfere with them. Swayamsevaks are supposed to be working towards the sole aim of the wellbeing of the country and hence most of the organizations popularly called Parivar organizations and wickedly listed separately under a heading "Family Plot" by Tehelka are independent although they are free to seek guidance of Sangh leaders or any other institution in their field. Therefore, the vibes felt by Simha are plays of his own imagination.  
 
He quotes his own thinking as that of RSS and its outfits which he emphasizes as 'at variance'. In this connection, answer of Shri Vaidya ji to his question No.20 is relevant. Sangh has its own programme, and so have all the outfits mentioned by them as Family Plot. Similarly as citizen of this country, all the members of these outfits could have their own opinions and Simha does not have any inkling of the opinion of the people of outfits. This is another bluff, which does not stick. 
 
His observations about what Swadeshi Jagran Manch told RSS colleagues etc. is a bunch of baloney. It is absurd that anybody can tell Sangh leaders that nothing can be done without political power.  Sangh has grown and is still growing without any political power supporting it. Sangh on the contrary tells the people not to look for Government help everywhere. It says, "What you can do, no Government on earth can do".
 
Then comes his outright bluff that RSS told BJP that it was appointing six zonal secretaries as observers who were all old school RSS men. How can RSS make appointments in BJP organization? It is not a new thing that RSS men should hold posts in BJP as the whole thing starting from Vajpayee and Advani. 
 
About Gujarat, does Simha imply that Modi is no more a CM? How can Om Prakash Mathur can be at the helm? Simha is using the sting operators attrition tactics.  Throw the mud around and let the cleaning be done by the victim. Besides, calling it a RSS laboratory and slanderous. Why not call Madhya Pradesh an RSS laboratory or for that matter even Rajasthan now BJP is in power there?
 
He again reiterates the point of the difference between Vajpayee and Sudarshan ji and talks of taking control of the BJP. As said earlier, every citizen can have his own opinion and if they differ on one issue, there need not be an enmity between them. Secondly, RSS is totally aloof from politics and has its own vast organization to manage. How and why it should try to take over BJP and add to its heavy load of work! 
 
The crap that Vijay Simha has written about Atalji and Sudarshan ji both seem tired etc. are all readings of his own and perhaps our great useless electronic media is reinforcing it.  He does not know the mettle of Sangh Swayamsevaks. When the Ramjanmabhoomi movement was going on, the full directions for the vastly supporting actions were given by Shri Balasaheb Deoras who was old and on bed.  Fight to the last is their motto and Vajpayeeji has said it many times over and Sudarshan ji had expressed it more than once. Simha should not worry about their losing energy and instead use his own time in writing something good in this country. There is no negative message in BJP, but regrouping its forces and coming back on the centrestage is the talk, while RSS is like Ganges, always flowing and giving its water full of life to all society and making it powerful.
 
The media is an expert is twisting an innocent answer. He has his own interpretations of everything.  He thinks 'ask them not us response is a classic indicator of anger'.  So he wants Vaidya responsible for every BJP action and vice versa. Vaidya of course, told him we welcome every refreshing attempt and cited the example of RSS leaders. What is wrong in the reply. A classic example how a non-committal answer is misrepresenting to give exactly opposite meaning is: 
 
"Once a Pope went to a visit to USA and his first stop was New York. Media persons were waiting for him to arrive. During Q&A session, one naughty Simha-like reporter asked him if the Pope intended to visit strip-tease clubs in New York.  Pope wanted to give a non-committal answer. He asked, 'Are there any strip-tease clubs in New York?'
 
He was shocked to read that reporter's paper giving a 2 inch black headline, 'Pope's first question on his visit to USA - are there strip-tease clubs in New York?'"
 
This is the current investigative sting journalism. He pretends he is a mind reader too and knows that Vaidya implies that BJP should refresh. 
 
The recent event that have taken place that is Advani's becoming president of BJP, Vajpayee backing it, or the meeting of Vajpayee, Advani and Sudarshan ji all should put a stop to the different rumours which are penned by Simha. The revolt (?) of BKS against Modi etc. is nothing a happening in politics.  If any body or an organization has not got justice, it can ask for it and get redressal. What is wrong about it and how it reflects on any thing Simha has been burbling through the article. 
 
 
Other material about Sangh in the same issue
 
We have given a short analysis of the article written by Shri Simha. In between, Tehelka has inserted a page in which it has listed the various outfits of Parivar under a heading "Family Plot". Ironically, the work of every outfit described does not sound at all as conspiratal, but only of service to the society in many ways. Below this, it has quoted excerpts from letters addressed to the then PMs by Param Poojaniya Guruji and Param Poojaniya Balarao Deoras ji written at the time of the two bans imposed on Sangh in 1948 and during the emergency respectively imposed on Sangh. The excerpts are all out of context. Besides, 'Tehelka' does not understand or ignores the attitude of Sangh, which has always remained of co-operation with the Government of India, which Sangh considers as our own government. P. P. Guruji put it aptly at the time of Chinese Aggression, "Vayam Panchadhikam Shatam" (When it comes to any national issue, we are one hundred and five - referring to Udhisthir's famous quote when Gandharva's had fought and caught all Kauravas and with this sentence Udhisthir expressed his determination to rescue them which the Pandavas did.) Only when there was no other alternative, Sangh had resorted to Satyagrih and not to any conflict.  We are not reproducing that page. 
 
Another page gives an interview with Shri Arjun Singh, HRD Minister under heading "Let RSS register as a political party". In it only 6 questions were asked about Sangh and answered by Arjun Singh in a very uninteresting fashion.  All the rest of the interview of 17 questions is about his relations with the Prime Minister, Sonia Gandhi and his own ambition, which is irrelevant to our analysis. 
 
 
Alongside his article, Vijay Simha has published his column 'Reporter's Diary' - "All quiet on the Nagpur Front". It is a deliberate attempt to depict an extremely gloomy picture of Rashim Baug HQs of Sangh.  It appears that on that day there was no activity like any camp or meeting etc. On reading it, one would recall the joke when a rich was young student was asked to write an essay on 'A Poor Man'.  She wrote, "Once there was a poor man.  His driver was poor. His cook was poor. His secretary was poor, his son was poor, his wife was poor, and his palace also was poor." So, for Vijay Simha everything there was old, dilapidated, gloomy and without any energy. Naturally so, because, it is a place of pilgrimage for Sangh Swayamsevaks and all of them return from there full of enthusiasm and energy to work with more force and vigour.


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